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What Case Managers Need to know to Effectively Care for Patients and their Support Systems

Whether you are an established or an aspiring case manager, learning what you need to succeed in your career will equip you for greater performance. The healthcare landscape is rapidly changing and so is the role of case management in that landscape. In such a rapidly changing healthcare environment, case managers must go through the 3 steps outlined below:

When a patient enters a hospital, they are faced with many tests, staff interactions and paperwork. Especially, during a time when they are sick, thinking clearly is a challenge. Some patients make not have the necessary education to completely comprehend their situation. Such circumstances may be overwhelming. That's where the case manager comes in.

Case managers are advocates for the patient. They liaison between the patient and the health personnel who will treat them. They explain the available options to the patient in simple terms, ease the process through frequent interactions and also involve with the patent's discharge and recovery to complete the process in a safe and timely manner. He determines the patient's continuing medical needs and puts in place a plan in place to meet those needs through discharge planning. Case managers are experts in organizing complex care needs across providers. While ensuring personalized care of a patient, the healthcare system as a whole benefits from the practice of case management. The case manager assists in finding appropriate providers and facilities all through the continuum of services in a way that provides the best value for patient and healthcare provider.

Other functions include

Be a part of the interdisciplinary rounds to improve case management outcomes

Ensuring that the health insurance company understands what's happening during the patient's hospitalization.

Provides all information the insurance company needs to approve payment for the hospitalization and works to prevent insurance claim denials

Arranging home visits from a visiting nurse after being discharged from the hospital

Arranging to get rehabilitation care from an inpatient rehabilitation facility

Assisting the patient in choosing a home health company or inpatient rehab facility that's in-network with his insurer and will accept him as a patient.

Negotiating coverage benefits between a health insurer, provider, and the patient

Case manager at a rehabilitation center

Ensures that the patient receives necessary care at the rehabilitation center

Helps facilitate communication between clinical staff, loved ones and community agencies to ensure continuity of care and address any questions or concerns.

Works closely with the doctors, therapists and nurses to make sure the follow-up services will be appropriate.

Holds Interdisciplinary meetings with patients and families to discuss their rehab goals

Sends outcomes to the third party payers to make determinations that patients are at the appropriate level of care

Attend the 'Case Management Boot Camp: Strategies for Success in the Acute Care Setting and Beyond!' to the skills to succeed as a case manager or social worker in the new era of value-based reimbursement and accountable care. Because things are changing so rapidly, it can be a challenge to stay current and knowledgeable in the issues that most greatly impact your role as an acute care case manager or social worker. Reimbursement has changed dramatically as has utilization management, transitional planning and compliance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has incorporated changes that impact on payments related to readmissions, length of stay and cost of care. Who is in a better place to address these issues than case managers and social workers! Finally, how do you measure your impact on the cost and quality of care and the reimbursement your organization receives for that care? All these topics and more will be covered in this jam-packed one-day program.

The speaker Toni G. Cesta, Ph.D., RN, FAAN is Partner and Health Care Consultant in Case Management Concepts, LLC, a consulting company which assists institutions in designing, implementing and evaluating acute care and community case management models, new documentation systems, and other strategies for improving care and reducing cost. The author of nine books, and a frequently sought after speaker, lecturer and consultant, Dr. Cesta is considered one of the primary thought leaders in the field of case management. Dr. Cesta writes a monthly column called "Case Management Insider" in the Hospital Case Management journal in which she shares insights and information on current issues and trends in case management.